We strongly believe in supporting our patients in every way as they navigate the rocky road of ankle arthritis. An important aspect of that support is education about ankle treatment options. In this blog, we explore how you can know the right time for ankle replacement.
The Stages of Ankle Arthritis
Unfortunately, ankle arthritis is a progressive disease. Understanding its progression is important in determining when it might be time for surgery.
- Early-stage: This stage usually features minor ankle pain and stiffness after exercise. Although the cartilage (the slippery covering of your bones) is wearing down in this stage, your bones can still move relatively smoothly. At this point, you might need to modify your activities, take anti-inflammatory medication, and join a physical therapy program for relief.
- Mid-stage: As the disease worsens, it’s common to have increased pain and stiffness. Cartilage loss continues, which may lead to bones starting to rub together. You may have difficulty moving alongside the pain. Mid-stage arthritis is often treatable with the same measures as before, but you could need stronger pain relief measures, like cortisone injections.
- Late-stage: Severe pain and swelling are common in late-stage ankle arthritis. Nonsurgical treatments might not work anymore. You might struggle to enjoy ordinary things like walking around the block or have trouble standing up or climbing stairs.
The late stage is usually when you might start thinking about ankle replacement.
Is it Time For an Ankle Replacement?
Ankle replacement restores your worn-down joint by swapping it with an artificial implant. The surgery aims to ease pain, regain ankle joint function, and improve your quality of life. Some of the things we consider when evaluating you as a candidate for ankle replacement include:
- The severity of your symptoms
- Your activity level
- Your general health
- Your age
- Your ability and willingness to do physical therapy after surgery
If your quality of life is eroding alongside your ankle joint, an ankle replacement could be the right choice. No matter which path you choose, our surgeons work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that allows you to resume an active and full life at last.
Talk Ankle Arthritis Treatments With Our Experts
Our highly skilled surgeons use advanced technology and well-researched clinical techniques to achieve the best results for our patients. Call our team of elite ankle arthritis experts at 928-777-9950 to arrange your ankle replacement consultation in our Prescott or Prescott Valley, AZ, office today.